felineflash
Member
Toujours dans mon coeur, Maman.
Posts: 197
|
Being
Sept 24, 2011 20:09:56 GMT -5
Post by felineflash on Sept 24, 2011 20:09:56 GMT -5
Chapter 16 - Fearless
It was a wonderful dinner. The steaks were just right, the vegetables grilled to perfection. Everything went off without a hitch, except for the large blister on Philip’s thumb (wouldn’t it be prudent to maybe throw away the oven mitt if it had a large hole in it?), and Chloe had been impressed. Now they sat, relaxing, sipping their wine, in the twilight. They’d kept the conversation light, speaking of the food, the wine, the lovely table Henderson had insisted upon setting outside. They’d smiled a lot, and laughed a lot, and as the cool night began to settle around them, Chloe felt more comfortable than she had in a very long time.
“You never cease to amaze me, Philip, you are indeed a Grillmaster,” she smiled as she sipped her wine. “How’s your thumb?”
“It’s OK. I don’t think I’ll lose it,” he laughed. “I hadn’t grilled in so long, damn. We used to grill all the time, Belle and Shawn and Mimi and me…” he broke off. Way to go, man. Things are perfect, so hey, bring up your ex-wife.
“You had good times,” she said understandingly.
“Sometimes, yeah,” he agreed. “But there was always a feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Good times, but they never felt quite…real.” He heard her sigh, remembered her conversation with Nancy. “This feels real.”
“It’s nice,” she nodded. It’s nice, no, it’s wonderful, to see the Philip I knew. When I get these glimpses of him, happy and comfortable, it reminds me that that Philip’s still in there. Just like the Chloe he knew is still in me. Somewhere. “I’m so glad to see you relaxed, I know today’s been hell.”
“Hell doesn’t even being to describe it.”
“I know how you feel about Tyler,” she stopped, seemed unsure of what to say, “Philip--”
“Why’d I give him up, right? That’s what you want to ask,” he looked into her into eyes, and knew she’d understand the reason.
“If you can tell me--”
“Because I couldn’t give him what I wanted him to have, and Ruth and Wayne could. I never could have given him that, even if the circumstances had been different. Because I didn’t want him to grow up like me, being raised by nannies and housekeepers and…”
“Henderson?”
“Exactly. He has the perfect family. Ruth and Wayne keep me in the loop. When he’s older, maybe I’ll visit him…but not now. He’s got it, Chloe. He’s got what I always wanted, what I always wanted to give.”
She took his hand, “I’m just glad he’s alright. And that you’re alright,” she let go, and rose, “Will you excuse me?”
“Will you be back?” He asked in return.
“Of course,” she looked at him, and remarking his slightly doubtful look, she added, “ I will be right back.” Of course, the last time I think I said that to him, he was pawing at Morgan when I came back. But I don’t think she’ll be around this time.
“Then I guess I’ll excuse you, as long as you’ll be right back,” he winked.
Chloe peered through the French doors before going back outside, making sure Philip was still there. The table had been cleared, and he was standing out in the open, a light rain falling on him. His chin was up, he looked…free. As if the darkness had lifted. She opened the door and stepped to the edge of the covered patio. “Philip? Are you alright?” she asked quietly. Which Philip are you?
“Took you awhile,” he turned and grinned. “I’m fine. I was just…enjoying the rain,” he held out his hand, “Chloe…”
“What?”
“Come dance with me.”
“It’s…raining!”
“What, you afraid I’ll rust? Come here,” he strode towards her and took her in his arms. ”What are you afraid of?” He whispered in her ear.
She knew it wasn’t a rhetorical question. She let him lead her out onto the lawn, into the rain, in his arms. I have to answer him. “Everything,” she whispered in return.
“Tonight, we’re fearless,” he declared, whirling her around. “Tonight, it’s just you and me, and the world can go to hell.”
“If the world goes to hell--” she began, her voice raised over the rain…Oh, let it. “Let the world go to hell!” She laughed as she whirled into his embrace. “There’s no music--”
“There’s the rain.”
It wasn’t an actual dance, not a waltz or a tango, just two bodies coming together in a natural rhythm with the rain and their heartbeats. He held her close, and she could feel her heart beating against his chest. They moved as one, swaying gently, for what seemed like hours, but was in fact, only a half of one. He turned his cheek and his lips found hers, his hand cupped the back of her head, and they shared perhaps the most passionate kiss she’d ever dreamed possible. It was as if she’d been taken away, into the heavens, soaring above the earth in an embrace that made her heart race.
He pulled away, and she tried a little wiggle, then said, “I need a shower!” Go Chloe! It was just getting good! But cleanliness is next to godliness…
“So do I,” he took her hand gently, looking at her intently. His eyes darkened as he said, “Come with me.”
It wasn’t an order, but she followed as if it had been. Her heart raced as if this was something she’d never done before. Get over it, Chloe! This isn’t your first time! Or even your first time with Philip! But somehow, it felt as if it was. He led her up the stairs without a word, into his bedroom. He helped her undress, never taking his eyes off of hers, and then she helped him.
He led her into the bathroom. You love me, you love me…and removed his prosthetic. You love me, you love me, you love me…no matter what’s missing, you love me.
She had a moment of slight panic as she watched him literally hop into the walk-in shower…Dear God, he’s going to slip and crack his head open, and I’ll have to call 911, and our moment will be gone…selfish much, Chloe? But the floor was textured and slip-proof, and he was adept. He never, ever took his eyes off of hers as he turned the water on and adjusted it. He held out his hand, “The water’s ready.”
She stepped in, and must have looked doubtful, because as he took her in his arms he whispered, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall.” And then he pulled her to him as he backed against the wall, kissing her neck, and then down, and down, and…
Oh my God, oh my God. She curled a leg around his, feeling the strangeness of the leg that ended just below the knee. She kissed his chest, and then she kissed lower, and lower…then met his mouth again, a slight, animal moan escaping as his arm tightened around her, holding her steady as they came together…as one…
Oh, my God…yes. You love me, you love me, you love me. And I love you. More than anything.
|
